Steven Knight Exits Rey’s New Jedi Academy Film: Lucasfilm Scrambles for Replacement

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Still Set to Direct as Production Faces Delays Amid Ongoing “Star Wars” Expansions

The Force has shifted once again. Screenwriter Steven Knight has exited the upcoming “Star Wars” movie that focuses on Daisy Ridley’s Rey in the post-2019 timeline of The Rise of Skywalker. Knight’s departure leaves the project in limbo as Lucasfilm scrambles to find new writers to helm the story.

Initially brought on in March 2023 to replace Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson, Knight was tasked with developing a film centered on Rey’s efforts to establish a new Jedi Academy. With Knight’s exit, production is now likely delayed until at least 2025, complicating Lucasfilm’s already packed release calendar.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy remains attached as director, marking her feature film debut. The two-time Oscar-winning documentarian previously directed episodes of Disney+’s Ms. Marvel and shared her excitement about exploring Rey’s arc as a female Jedi. “Rey’s journey resonates with me personally,” Obaid-Chinoy told Variety, emphasizing her focus on the heroine’s growth.

Meanwhile, Knight continues to juggle a busy slate of projects, including the Angelina Jolie-led Maria Callas biopic and an upcoming Peaky Blinders movie starring Cillian Murphy. He is also involved with new series across FX, BBC, and Disney+.

The next Star Wars film, directed by Jon Favreau and focusing on The Mandalorian and Grogu, is set to premiere in May 2026. Disney has slated two additional films for release in December 2026 and December 2027, though titles remain under wraps.

During the 2023 Star Wars Celebration in London, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy announced that, alongside Obaid-Chinoy’s film, the company was developing projects with James Mangold (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) and Dave Filoni, the creative force behind Ahsoka and The Mandalorian. These films represent a major push to expand the galaxy’s mythology across new timelines and characters.

With Knight’s exit, the search for a new screenwriter is ongoing—but the clock is ticking as fans eagerly await the next chapter in Rey’s journey.